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Friday, March 2, 2012

Aspiring Advice: Mythbusting The Muse

You know that show on the Discovery Channel, where two guys and a crew look into myths and urban legends, only to try and prove or disprove them? How much fun would it be crashing cars and blowing up toilets? Sounds like every demolition and pyro's dream job. But did you know there are myths about writing? You bet!

A couple weekends ago, my wife and I had the chance to finally meet one of our favorite authors (no, we did not have the tallest stack of books for her to sign ...).

I speak of Shannon Hale, author of Princess Academy, Goosegirl, Austenland, etc (she's also the same author that some readers have compared my writings to).

Awesomeness!

Before the signing, Shannon spoke to all us fans and had a Q&A. One question was asked, "how do you overcome writer's block?" The answer surprised me, yet I nodded in agreement right away. The general gist was this:

"There's no such thing as writer's block. There's no such thing as a muse. They're myths in the writing world."

She then talked about motivation and discipline, points that are worth expounding on. Is there such a thing as a muse? What is a muse? Some magical, external force that sends inspiration our way? Or doesn't, leaving us frustrated? The truth is, I never believed in such an entity. It's like being dependent on something before I can write, or an excuse for when I'm not writing.

In psychology, this is known as displacement, a kind of defense mechanism that justifies or rationalizes our lacking onto something/someone else. The more we rely on this excuse, the easier it is to justify not writing our 1000 words or editing our chapter for the day. Our productivity sways the longer this is maintained.

It's a lot like magical thinking or superstition, really.

Blame the universe or the muse all we want, but the reason that book isn't finished or edited lies on us.

Sure, life gets in the way at times, and might drain away our motivation - if we allow it. When discouragement rears it's ugly head, I imagine it getting all in my face, and then I push it aside. It's quite the spectacle.

What I imagine I'm doing

But it doesn't end there. Motivation is easy to come by, and we can tap into that well of awesomeness that's brimming to burst. For me, all it takes is three steps:

- Take a breath and clear your mind.

- Give yourself a manageable goal (X words).

- Resist distraction and complete that goal!

There might be an urge to raid the kitchen, play a game, or watch some TV, but that can wait. They are rewards for accomplishing your goal. Focus and don't cave.

This is not the rule, just my thoughts on the matter. If your explanation for inspiration is an invisible muse, no one is going to change your mind. If writer's block is walling you from pressing on, no one can smash it for you. Instead of relying on a muse, think of yourself as a receiver. The story exists in the grand cosmos. Through you, the story can be told. Align yourself and write on!

Er ... that's not what I meant ...

What do you guys think? Are muses a myth or fact? Is writer's block a myth or fact? Do you chew gum?

42 comments:

My philosophy is that work can always be done--regardless of how you feel. I agree that discipline is the key, and that you have to work through those rougher moments. Whether its just editing, polishing, or really writing, KEEP WORKING.

So cool you got to meet Shannon Hale!!!!! Seriously, so jealous!!!!! And what a fab post!

I do have my muses, two of whom were my writing teachers. Their photos stare out at me in my studio. But I would never use their lack of some magical silent conversation as an excuse for me not writing. Yes, I agree, that would be less than productive magical thinking!

Not trying to ruin it. Being busy with other things is entirely different. I mean sitting around and waiting for that muse to speak before we write. I wouldn't call that a good use of our time. Thanks! :)

Ahh fine, be all reasonable. But it's still more fun to be the suffering writer tearing her hair out in a draft attic, bemoaning writer's block and the abandonment of the muse. Or at least, it's a funny image, if completely untrue in real life.

I think there are muses, but they aren't necessarily of the mythical creature variety. There's no question though that some people/things/etc. trigger something in the brain that inspires us and makes writing easier. I wouldn't use them as an excuse not to write (very often), but it's awfully nice when that inspiration is there.

Same thing with writer's block. I've certainly felt blocked before, where no words come out right, no matter how hard I try. Again it's not (really) an excuse for not writing, and if you're disciplined you can write through it, but I don't really know how else to explain the times when writing is harder or easier.

I love Shannon Hale. One of my all time favorite authors. I've yet to go to one of her signings though. :( And I agree about there being no such thing as writer's block. When I can't seem to concentrate on my stories, I take a look at my life and realize how busy I've been. Usually that's the problem. Or I'm tired. Or pregnant. Or all three. :P Obviously this has been happening to me lately...

Loved the photos, especially the psych couch and the scene from Signs.

No, I'm not a Muse-believer either. But I love to joke about her. When I can't figure out what to do next when I'm editing or writing, the best thing for me is free writing or taking a shower. I'm not sure why, but they work.

I agree that writing and finishing what you start is all about motivation and discipline. I think of a muse more like something that sparks an initial idea, not something that sustains the idea and the work involved. Also, I love this: "The story exists in the grand cosmos. Through you, the story can be told. Align yourself and write on!" I definitely think about my stories that way sometimes :)

Well, nothing beats discipline for really getting the work out. But, I have to say, there are stories and poems that just come to me, and when they do, I thank "the muse". Determination wouldn't have brought them to mind.

I have to agree with your favorite author. I never really believed in muses ... As for writer's block. To me it's mainly a distracted mind. Other priorities forcing their way into your head. This, joined with fear. I think fear has a great deal to do with "writer's block."

This is a good topic. I kind of agree with this author. I know that whenever I get writer's block, it's simply because I'm feeling particularly uninspired. To become inspired, I have a routine that I go through. But usually that's a lot of work. I can veg in an uninspired state for months.

Totally agree. It's nice to blame our problems on outside forces but in reality we are responsible for our work. If people love my book I'm not gonna tell them it was the muse writing it. You better believe I'm going to take credit. There are times when I get stuck, but there are ways to work through the problems. Once I identify what the problems are.

I'm pretty firmly in the "just write until you feel like writing" camp, although life does get in the way at times. Like, finishing dissertations and things like that--nothing consequential :) Still, there is such as thing as getting too burnt out (mainly through exhaustion) that mimics writers block, I think. Instituting nap-time for adults might help a lot of us out at times when we are lacking the creative feeling... :)

This is all swirling around in my brain making a wonderful bit of sense! I love it! And how lucky you are to have met Shannon! So jealous! Love the pic too. Your wife is so cute. Glad you're bringing her for Cheesecake!

I sacked my muse ages ago. She wasn't productive enough, always wanting to take time off, leaving me in the lurch. So I replaced her. If I don't write when I have time, I am forbidden from reading and blogging. I have a pet dragon for that.

I don't believe in writer's block. As for having a muse, there are days I feel jazzed about writing and days when I do not. Some might mistake this for a "muse singing" but I think it's normal. No one can maintain enthusiasm 24/7. Ups and downs are normal. You push through them or they stop you. That's it.

What if your muse is a real person, like mine is? I didn't start writing until about 6 months after my youngest was born, so I consider him my muse. However, that was also in response to those who said things like, "3 kids?! You're out of your mind." So I started writing to prove to them that yes, you can have 3 kids and survive to tell the tale; and to keep myself from exploding. I haven't stopped since.Writer's block? I just move on to another topic and if I'm consistently blocked on the first topic, it wasn't meant to be written.Definitely chew gum, usually to keep from eating the chocolate I'd much rather be having.Haven't seen Hugo yet.

I totally and completely agree! I've always thought that "writer's block" is just me having not thought through my story enough. I'm pretty sure I have never thought the words "I have writer's block." I've only thought, "Dang. I need to spend some more time thinking." Kind of like right now...

I agree with you. I talk about my muse, but only to conceptualize the creative process. I am one of those people who believe that you just keep going and work through the confusion. I've noticed if I clarify the direction my writing is going, I usually get moving. I take that stall out at a sign that something isn't quite right, and once I identify the issue, things start rolling along again! Excellent post!

Great post, David. I refer to the ideas that come to me as my muse. I just like giving myself a cool name like that and Greek mythology is some of my fave stories. However, I agree that discipline is what it is really about at the end of the day. If I am having trouble with my 'muse' for one thing, I just switch to another project and 'she' speaks to me about that. As long as I'm writing, who cares what I call that creative part of my brain.Writer's block is a myth. I think you do have days when a project just isn't working for you. Is it total writer's block though? Nah. Just time to look at a different project for that day. Try something in a totally different genre. That will get your brain rolling again.

After the amount of snow we've had this winter, I've realized it's my muse. Something about the silence that comes with snow and the fact it knocked out our power for a few days (keeping me from the internet) was motivating. Maybe I should move to Alaska :) Truthfully, I don't get writer's block. I do get distracted though. I'm going to go make my tinfoil hat and focus :)

This is an absolutely fantastic post! And SO true! I remember watching Stranger than Fiction, when that writer complains about having writer's block and ya da ya da ya da... and--don't get me wrong--I LOVE that movie, but at the same time I just wanted to shake her and say "Get with the program!!"

Writing isn't about those inspirational vibes everyday... its about gettin' down and dirty and FORCING the story out! With the occasional burst of inspiration thrown in. Which, by the way, can't even happen unless you're TRYING to write in the first place!!

[sigh]

[steps off soap box]

And p.s., I totally love that pic... pushing back the forces of the universe to write. SO true, isn't it?

Great post and I agree. As challenging as it may seem at the time, if you "feel" blocked in your writing (which is probably just some fear-based thing), what you need to do is write. Writing is the antidote to writer's block. And that's where the discipline comes in.

As for waiting for the inspiration muse? I always tell my students that the best way to get inspired is to write. The inspiration comes though writing. The more you write, the more inspired to write you will be.

I actually find that both of those things exist. There are things out there that absolutely inspire me, and I pull out my notepad and scribble away ASAP. And there are also times when I feel blocked, and writing that day/week is super hard and frustrating.

But just because they exist--that doesn't make them good excuses for not writing. Days where I can push past that blockade, I feel amazing afterward.

I've always believe that I could write at any time; just give me a prompt, and I'll go for it. Then I didn't write for 2 years. Life got in the way. But now I'm taking my "muse" back, and I'm going to write!

YA Paranormal Fantasy

Welcome to The Cosmic Laire, the official site of fantasy and science fiction author, David Powers King. David's works include WOVEN, THE UNDEAD ROAD, and FULL DARK: AN ANTHOLOGY. He currently resides in the Mountain West with his wife and 4 children. Click About to learn more.